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Naim or Octave with Dynaudio Confidence C1

After an inordinately long search, I have definitely decided to purchase the Dynaudio Confidence C1 speakers. I think they are amazing speakers. I recently auditioned them with the Naim separates, the 202 preamp and 200 power amp and a Naim CD player. I thought the system sounded great, intimate, sweet, clean, and transparent. Having read a lot of great comments about the Octave V70 amp, should I audition that as well or conclude my search? I have a 12 by 20 room and listen to jazz, vocals, Brazilian, r&b and other generally non bombastic music.
handsomeck
handsomeck OP
28 posts
 
Thanks for the response. A few more questions, if I may. What is the significance of black box? Where is your dealer? What kind of maintenance is involved with the Octave? What did you like better about the Octave sound? Did you listen to the Naim separates I mentioned -- I'm not a fan of the Supernait which many team with the C1s.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
It was the supernait I compared to not separates. The black box adds 4X capacitance (super black box is 10X) which really lowers the noise floor and adds authority/control to the music. Kind of the same as Naims flatcap/supercap/hicap etc. As far as maintenance it has tubes. The bias is stupid simple and shouldn't need to be adjusted unless rolling output tubes. Personally I prefer the EL34 tubes over the KT88's and 6550's so changing the tonality is just to swap out some tubes (can't do that with SS).
xti16
1,525 posts
 
My dealer is in a suburb of Chicago (Bartlett Il 60103)
handsomeck OP
28 posts
 
Hi, Thanks for your responses. I guessed right that you had heard the supernait. I'm not a fan of that amp -- it is too forward for me and not very refined. The separates are more laid back and much more refined but still with the Naim pace and oomph. How would you describe the Octave amp sonically? Enjoy your system. I'm sure it is great. I think the C1s are incredibly special speakers. What cd player did you choose to go with this set up?
xti16
1,525 posts
 
I have the meridian G08 cd player. The Naim stuff has incredible prat. I personally think the Octave has just as much prat but a little more oomph. Sonically the KT88's are very warm sounding with a little extra in the bottom end (it's amazing how much bass the C1's have with those tubes). The 6550's are more linear with a tighter bass - a little less warmth in the mids and a little more in the highs. The EL34's just have a magical mid range and highs but do lack the lower end. The EL34's do make the mids and high seem more forward (which I too am not a big fan of) but oh how nice they sound. I do use a Rel B3 sub.

I also have Nordost Frey speaker cables and soon Ic's (doing a Nordost in home demo presently) with Fusion Audio power cords. The Nordost cabling bring out the 'air' between the instruments and vocals very nicely and with great speed.

I can't see replacing any of my current system unless something dies.
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